An inquest into the death of an Iranian man who set himself on fire on Nauru has heard only one psychiatrist was available to about 1000 refugees and asylum seekers on the island.

The death of Iranian man Omid Masoumali, who set himself on fire on Nauru, is the subject of an inquest in Brisbane https://t.co/wzE9wCuqcc

— SBS News (@SBSNews) February 25, 2019

Suresh Sundram, a mental health expert who regularly assessed people on Nauru, has told Brisbane Coroners Court that was the case despite many of them suffering psychiatric issues.

Omid Masoumali died in a Brisbane hospital in April 2016, two days after he doused himself in petrol and set fire to his clothes in front of visiting United Nations officials.

The widow of a refugee who set himself on fire in Nauru has described the desperation they felt leading up to his death. A coroner is investigating why it took more than 30 hours to evacuate Omid Masoumali, and if more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.@AmberAW pic.twitter.com/2hrxX0laIb

— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) February 25, 2019

Phone footage of Mr Masoumali pacing around a re-settlement area of the Pacific island, yelling intensely then engulfed in a large ball of flames has been shown during the inquest.

It also heard another Iranian refugee planned to do the same but did not go through with it.

Believing he could remain on Nauru for another 10 years, Melbourne-based refugee Medhi Diba said he intended setting his trousers alight and putting them out with the fire blanket.

Mr Diba said the incident would be filmed and put on social media.

"Because they didn't let us have a lawyer or they didn't let any reporters come ... and talk about us and let other people know in the social media," he said.

"That's why I was planning to set myself on fire, to go on social media and everyone knows about us."

The inquest continues on Wednesday.

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